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Urgent, effective government action required
Unless the government addresses it urgently and meaningfully, the ongoing attacks across the country are a time bomb that could go off at any moment and which poses a far greater risk to national security than any would-be insurrection by any so-called paramilitary right-wing organisation – most of which are little more than extremist fantasy.
While rumours of an unlikely organised right-wing insurrection coupled to the arrest of two men in connection with arms caches found by police in Worcester have done the rounds these past few days, there is a far greater danger that ongoing farm attacks in the wake of the murder of Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (AWB) leader Eugene Terre’Blanche could trigger spontaneous violence.
With emotions still running high in the Ventersdorp area – and in other rural farming communities – following the murder of Terre’Blanche, yet another farmer Karel Griesel has been attacked brutally on his farm near Ventersdorp. It is attacks such as these in an emotionally charged atmosphere which could trigger revenge attacks and set off a cycle of racial violence rather than any would-be organised campaign by any right-wing organisation.
Illustrating the dangerous mood prevailing in farming communities, are the sentiments expressed by neighbours of Griesel, who is in a critical condition after the latest attack.
According to "Times Live", the neighbours, Ben and Sonja van der Berg, said farm attacks in the area had escalated to such an extent that they felt afraid to walk outside their home. They said they were angry and “we are not AWB, but this is enough”. They further indirectly blame Julius Malema’s recent singing of the "dubula'ibhunu" (Kill the Boer) struggle song for the attack.
According to Ben van den Bergh, farmers in the Ventersdorp district would be getting together this week with the intention of setting up a unit to patrol farms at night, as they no longer trusted the police. To which AWB spokesperson Andre Visagie added: "We've had repeated incidents on our farms and we see it as a total onslaught."
The AWB has never had the capacity to launch an insurrection or sustained military campaign of any kind. Nor is there any other organisation capable of large-scale armed activities. Even the well-armed and funded Boeremag, whose leaders/members have been in prison for years while their trial drags on, had a very small membership and only managed isolated terrorist attacks.
Weekend reports rather questionably linked the Suidlanders to the arrests of the two Worcester men. On closer investigation, it turns out that the 'organisation' exists largely in cyberspace, with only two or three people running its 'campaigns' on an Internet site and blog, and circulating fake e-mails to create panic and dissent.
At best, right-wing organisations with arms stockpiles may launch a few isolated terror attacks – that could nonetheless set off a cycle of violence. However, they are far more adept at rumour mongering, spreading false alarms and creating panic and tensions.
In that atmosphere, attacks on farmers could spark dangerous reactions by unorganised members of affected communities, which in turn could trigger counter violence in other communities.
Therefore, much more serious at present is the question of farm attacks that are causing emotions to remain high, hardening attitudes particularly in rural communities, and which could trigger a nasty incident with knock-on effects at any time.
The issue of farm attacks, following the latest one in the Ventersdorp district, were to be discussed on Monday when AWB leaders met, at their own request, with Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa.
If anything, the Terre’Blanche murder has been a call to the government to start showing compassion to a white farming community that feels persecuted and targeted, and to acknowledge the abnormally high number of murders of farmers, their family and workers.
According to a South African Human Rights Commission report, there were 2 500 murders in 9 400 attacks since 1994. Other sources are putting the figure closer to 3 500. Urgent action cannot be postponed much longer.
If the government is serious about resolving problems in the agricultural sector – land availability for redistribution, worker conditions, etc. – an even-handed approach is required. The way to go about it would be to create an enabling environment, with security for farmers, in which negotiations regarding these issues could stand a much better chance of a positive outcome than is currently the case.
The impunity with which Malema apparently was allowed by the ANC and the government to continue his anti-white campaign and his continued disrespect for the courts, the law, the Constitution (which, last week, he said neither he nor President Jacob Zuma respected because it protects white privilege) gave rise to dangerous speculation and rumours in conservative white circles that there was a government-supported conspiracy behind the murder of Terre’Blanche. In the words of Mr Ben Marais, president of the Transvaal Agricultural Union (TAU): "We have seen farm murders increasing sharply during recent weeks, nationalisation of agricultural land was on the agenda, as well as the appearance of the inflammatory song, 'Shoot the Farmers'. Finally, a well-known leader was murdered.
“TAU SA is convinced, based on evidence, that the murder of Mr Terre'Blanche was no ordinary crime, but a political murder, probably involving government. The cruelty and barbaric actions which is evident during such murders, was repeated in the case of Mr Terre'Blanche, and does not relate to the alleged motive.
“TAU SA is tired of the fact that an environment is deliberately created to discredit farmers. Notice was taken that during the protests at the Ventersdorp court hearing, once again allegations were made against the farmers, which creates a climate for radical elements to justify similar brutal attacks.”
Its been more than 15 years into our new "democracy, but still, black people still mrginalised in their own country. We really need to into farm attacks without excluding the treatment that our people are being subjected to every day of their lives. You wrote that the government has to stop farm attacks o n white farmers. What about black farmers who are killed by the farmers on a daily basis? Nothing is been said or done about their plight. Not only that, have ever considered the kind of wages the farm workers are earning? Is that money ever going to improve the lot of farmworkers?
Looking into the Terre'blanche issue, why is it that he is portrayed as an innocent farm victim? Everybody is talking about Julius MAlema as the one inciting hatred due to the singing of the kill the farmer song? If we say he is responsible, then that should be a clear indication that there is anger, animosity and racial hatred amongst the farmers and their workers. Why are you not talking about the singing of the Die Stem and the raising of the old apartheid song by members of the AWB?
How do you think that makes black people feel about Afrikaners and white people n general(for most people, Afrikaners, boers and white people are one and the same thing)?
We should be asking these questions regarding the credibility of ET as an innocent victim.Firstly, Why does he employ children as labourer when the constitution clearly state that children under the age of 16 years are not supposed to be working? Doesnt that child belong in the classroom? Secondly, how can you pay your employee R300 a month? The are laws put in place
to protect workers from exploitation. Why didnt ET follow the laws of this country? Thirdly, dont we all know that Terre'blanche and the AWB are a bunch of racists, supremists and exploiters?
I am really disappointed in you because you defend exploiters and racist at the expense of innocent farm labourers. If we want to stop farm killings, then we should closely look at the relationship between farmers and their workers. No one is ever taking the plight of farm labourers seriously, including our black government. We are now living in a country whereby people have lost all faith in the government, and are now taking their destinies into their own hands.
I love this country and also have lost trust in my government. I beleive that their the ones responsible for all this mess. The people have voted for them with the beleif that their situations will change. But that has never materialised. White people are still the priviledged in this country, and that has made people to be angry and impatient. The killing of ET and other farmers is an indication of this country is going. As for Malema, he is taking an advantage of the crisis in this country. You want to stop MAlema and farm killings, then the government should ensure that there is land redisribution, eradication of poverty, inequality and racism. Then we will live in a crime and racism free country.